2. A thorough pre-test interview to insure the issue at hand is fully understood clearly by both the examiner and examinee - (there are no surprise questions during a real polygraph test)

3. Test questions accurately designed to verify the truth of a single issue. - (most polygraph on television depict random, emotion-inducing, surprise questions on a variety of subjects. Those type of tests, although entertaining, have no verifiable validity or accuracy)